Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of 'You quit smoking, I assist you: providing health care to Beijing taxi drivers' program in smoking cessation among participants.
Methods We recruited 103 current smokers among taxi drivers in Beijing city between September and December 2017 for a 24-week follow-up intervention program on smoking cessation. The participants received free smoking cessation services from a smoking cessation clinic in a grade A tertiary hospital in the city and the services included providing medicine (varenicline) for smoking cessation, psychological and behavioral intervention and follow-up management. Moreover, the program was supported by government agencies and non-governmental organizations, and was publicized by media frequently. Baseline information of the participants were collected at the initial interview and later information on changes in smoking behaviors, medication compliance and adverse events were gathered with telephone interviews at week 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 of follow up.
Results Among the participants, the 7-day point prevalence abstinence rate at week 4, 8, and 12 were 39.8%, 43.7% and 54.4%; and the continuous abstinence rate of during 5 – 8 and 9 – 12 weeks were 38.8% and 45.6%, respectively. The level of nicotine dependence and duration of medication treatment were influencing factors for successful smoking cessation.
Conclusion The comprehensive intervention program could promote smoking cessation effectively among current smokers in taxi drivers and be applied among other smoking groups.
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